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The Full-Time MBA Program
Virtual Admissions Chat
September 11, 2018
Chat with Berkeley Haas Min Le, Moderator
Angela Fleekop, Associate Director of Admissions
Brooke Baranzano, Associate Director of Admissions
Talin Abrahamian, Associate Director of Admissions
Min_Moderator: Hi, everyone. Thank you for joining us today. My name is Min Le, and I will be
your moderator for today. I am joined by my colleagues Angela Fleekop,
Brooke Baranzano, and Talin Abrahamian. Please send us your questions!
Rushil:
Answer:
Arun:
Answer:
Alexander:
Answer:
Diana:
Answer:
Hi. Does applying with a GRE score put me at a disadvantage?
Hi there! Absolutely not! We don’t have preference between GMAT or GRE.
In the first essay about memorable experience, is it necessary to mention
how I’ll contribute to Haas or is the story enough?
No, it is not necessary to talk about Haas at all. We want to read your story and
learn more about you.
Is financial assistance available for international students?
Yes! International students are able to receive scholarships and financial aid.
I work for a family business, the director who is my direct supervisor is also a
family member. Would it be better to get a letter of recommendation from
her or from a different non-family member of the board of directors?
Hi Diana. Yes! We would prefer a letter that does not come from a family
member.
Alexander:
Answer:
Kushagra:
Answer:
Shobhit:
Answer:
Victor:
Answer:
Ashwin:
Answer:
Doris:
Answer:
What percent of graduates get into PE/VC and what resources are there
to help them get there?
We don’t have percentages broken down, but we do have some limited
information on the website about industries that graduates go into. That being
said, I recommend you reach out to the student organizations directly and
inquire more about available resources.
For the second essay on post MBA goals, should we portion a part of the
essay on why MBA at Haas or should it focus on the goals?
It’s not necessary to address “why Haas.” Feel free to focus on your goals.
Hi. I am a re-applicant, where do I specifically mention all the
improvements I have made since last applying?
There is a section in the application where we will ask you what’s changed
since your last application. Please include it there.
Do we need to include the transcripts and universities in which we did an
exchange program in the online application?
Hi Victor! Yes, please provide transcripts for all courses you’ve taken in your
exchange program. If anything is missing in your application, we will reach out
to you for the missing documents.
Hi! I am planning to apply for the Fall 2020. I want to know about all the
things we are able to do during campus visits.
Please see our campus visit website to learn all about what is included:
https://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/visit.
How many years of experience do you typically see in management
consultants when they enroll?
It really varies. What is more important to us is the impact and leadership
you’ve shown in your work.
Mathew:
Answer:
Shobhit:
Answer:
Alexander:
Answer:
Attendee:
Answer:
Victor:
Answer:
Alexander:
Answer:
How does the AdCom view the interaction between the resume and
employment section of the application? Should the employment section
repeat the bullets on our resume, include additional information not included
on our resume or both?
We look at both sections. You can repeat information for sure but we do ask
additional questions in the employment section that you would not necessarily
put on a resume (i.e. reason for leaving).
Do re-applicants need to submit two letter of recommendations?
You are welcome to submit two new letters of recommendation, or you can
reuse the ones you submitted last year.
Can I apply without GRE or GMAT?
Hi Alexander. A GRE or GMAT is required in order to apply.
Above essay 2 there are 2 drop downs for future industry and function. My
goal is to remain in marketing, but my short term and long term industries are
different. Which would you recommend I use to answer the question
(future industry or function)?
I recommend that you list your future goals in the drop down menu (short-term
goals to be specific).
If we have a scholarship, apart from the 4 explicitly stated on the online
application, where do we put it?
You can list it in an optional essay section if you think it’s relevant to your
application. A short bullet point note will suffice.
I noticed UC Berkeley is part of the MIINT network for impact investing. Could
you speak to what other impact investing offerings (courses/co-
curriculars) are available?
The best way to learn more about this topic is to connect directly with a
student who is pursuing impact investing. I recommend reaching out to the
HSAs at [email protected] and ask to be connected to a current student
pursuing impact investing.
Connor:
Answer:
Izem:
Answer:
Charles:
Answer:
Aishwarya:
Answer:
Emily:
Answer:
Rushil:
Answer:
Is there a confirmation when a letter of recommendation is submitted? Or
does only the recommender get notified of the successful submission?
Hi Connor, a confirmation email is only sent to your recommender. You may
check the status of your letters of recommendation in the application portal. If
a recommendation is missing, it will appear on your checklist.
Good day, how do I maximize my chances of transferring from BCC to
Haas knowing that the rate is as low as 5%?
It's a holistic process, so we view the entire application before we make a
decision. There really isn't one factor that can put you at a disadvantage or
advantage over others.
Hi, I quit my job a couple of months back and am working on independent
projects at the moment. Can I use my previous supervisor instead of the
required current supervisor for reference letter?
Yes, absolutely!
I have a doubt regarding the Center for Equity, Gender, and Leadership
scholarship. I had submitted my interest through the application, and a few
days back, I received an email from the admissions team saying I have to
fill out a supplemental essay. But, I'm not sure where to include that
essay, as my scholarship page (EGAL) shows the status to be 'submitted.'
Please contact financial aid office about this matter at
Do you know if most students find internships/jobs through career
services and on-campus recruiting, or more through independent
networking?
It is really a mix depending on the companies. All of the big companies come
to us, but career management is constantly building relationships with smaller
companies and making sure our students can network to them as well.
Can we get a breakdown of international applicants by country?
We don't provide that information, as it changes frequently every year.
Ashruth: Hello! I work for a pharmaceutical company on the east coast that has recently
been in a hyper growth phase and while we are largely known in the
pharmaceutical sector, we often times are not known to the general public.
Would it be worth it to use a line on my resume to briefly introduce the
company or would it be better in the optional essay?
Answer: Yes, you can. I recommend listing it on the resume rather than an optional
essay. You can also include that info on the employment section if you’d like!
Srijan: I see that the curriculum at Haas is very flexible. Do students actively
participate in curriculum development and designing courses?
Answer: Yes! You can even design your own classes as electives.
Gerardo: Regarding part-time jobs during undergraduate studies, does that include
high-school or just college?
Answer: Just college!
Chen: Would you recommend to always provide a response for the optional
essay?
Answer: Not at all, the optional essay is truly optional. Only use it if you think you have
relevant information to tell us that is not evident elsewhere in your application.
David: Is there a resource for connecting with current students/alumni in NYC?
Answer: Reach out to our Haas Student Ambassadors at [email protected] and let
them know you'd like to connect with a current student from NY. They would
be happy to help!
Soha: Can one of the recommendation letters be from a university professor in
my undergrad program?
Answer: Hi! We prefer professional letters of recommendation where you've worked
full-time and generally from your direct supervisor.
Tiffany: When is the deadline for 2019 enrollment?
Answer: Please consult our website for all of our round deadlines.
David:
Answer:
Margaret:
Answer:
Rushil:
Answer:
Piyush:
Answer:
Chen:
Answer:
Mathew:
Answer:
How defined is a normal short-term goal post MBA? I have an idea of what
type of work I would like to do in a target industry, but should I know a specific
position or company?
You don't have to have an exact idea of what you want to do, but we do want
you to have thought about an area of interest and what you think that will
provide you with a rewarding career. Many people aren't totally sure what
they want to do post MBA and that's just fine!
In the interest of word count, would it be okay to use acronyms in our
essays? For example, BREC (Berkeley Real Estate Club) and International
Business Development (IBD) or do you advise not to?
Yes, feel free to do so.
Being a startup founder, can I get a recommendation from an advisor? They
are not a direct supervisor per se.
That is fine!
Do you provide feedback to candidates who were waitlisted &
interviewed and want to reapply this year to improve their candidacy?
Unfortunately, we do not. We encourage you to self-reflect on what's
improved since your last application.
I'm a re-applicant from 3 years ago, will you review my old application
along with the new?
We have the information in our archives, but every year with each new
application you start off on a clean slate.
If I took college level courses while in high school and had credits transfer to
my undergraduate institution, do I need to include that transcript and
institution of study in the academic section of the application?
Hi Matthew! If the college courses you took were quantitative, such as math
or statistics, then we will need to see the course title, units taken, and grade
received for the course. Otherwise, no transcript is needed!
Ashwin: Is there any way to be a part of different clubs at Haas before applying?
Answer: You have to wait until you matriculate to be a part of Haas clubs, but you’re
welcome to reach out to any club members to start connecting.
Diana: I have a dual citizenship from the U.S. and Peru, will that impact my
application? Should I mention it in my application?
Answer: Citizenship does not impact your application, but you can feel free to mention
it if you'd like.
Attendee: Essay #2 is a clearly a career/goals question, but to what extent do you like
to see applicants specifically include discussion of the
things/opportunities at Haas that will relate to this career goal? Do we
need to tell Haas about its own programs?
Answer: You do not have to include anything related to Haas in that essay. So feel free
to use up the word limits with more information about yourself and your goals!
Madina: Could you please elaborate on "designing your own classes as electives?"
Answer: Students can elect to create their own course, with permission from the
student affairs office where they choose the guest speakers and have a faculty
sponsor to help do the grading. These are generally used for niche topics that
our regular electives don't teach.
Attendee: My professional experience is very non-traditional and could be considered a
'lesser' role in comparison to others that are applying to business school. My
current role is a customer service representative. Although this isn't
necessarily a demonstration of a leadership role, I have been able to build a set
of skills that will help with my desired concentration (Technology). Does your
previous profession matter? How is your work experience viewed if you
are choosing an MBA to completely change your career path?
Answer: Work experience is definitely a top factor that we consider when looking at
applications. Many people do want to change career paths but we hope to see
growth in your work experience before you get your MBA.
Katrina: Do you have statistics of admitted students who took the GRE?
Answer: They should be published on our website soon. Check our class profile page
for any updates: https://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/class-profile.
Deepa: Does independent practice and consulting count as work experience?
Answer: Sure! Feel free to list anything that has shaped your work experience.
Shobhit: Does a re-applicant need to answer all the required essay questions in
addition to mentioning the improvements since the last application
cycle?
Answer: You are able to reuse essay #1 (6 word story), but essay #2 must be answered
again since it’s a new essay (similar but new). You are also able to answer the
optional essay on improvements made since the last app.
Crystal: Does Berkley admit on a rolling basis within the various admission
deadline dates? (i.e. if I am applying for round 2, is it better for me to submit
earlier rather than in January?)
Answer: We do not. Everyone is notified on the same notification date, regardless of
when you submit your application.
Attendee: Is there any disadvantage to applying in the second round instead of the
first round?
Answer: It's up to you! We get most of our applications in round 2, but it's best to apply
the soonest that you have the best app possible.
Sumedha: Are there any format preferences for the Resume?
Answer: Hopefully one page and a general organized format. Check out our resume
Diana:
Answer:
guide.
Are interviews only in person or can they be online, if I live in a different
country?
It can be online, in-person with an alum in your home country, or on-campus.
Whichever you prefer, if you're offered an invitation to interview!
Renato:
Answer:
Sean:
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Will:
Answer:
Bobby:
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Jenna:
Answer:
Rushil:
Answer:
Hi! For international students: If I have a high quant score on the GMAT but
a low verbal score, but at the same time a high TOEFL score, how will
that be seen? Can you compensate both GMAT verbal and TOEFL scores
in your evaluation? or is a high overall score on the GMAT necessary?
It's a holistic process, so we'll really review all parts of the application in order
to make our admissions decision.
Is there an inherent advantage to meeting with admissions officers
during the campus visit program offered by the student ambassadors? I
would think this could only help admissions officers get a more holistic view of
the applicant.
We do not weigh this at all in the admissions process. Your visit will include a
session with an admissions representative, so we encourage you to use that
time to get your admissions related questions answered, but don't feel
obligated to meet with us beyond that.
Do you consider eCommerce to be in the retail or high tech industry?
Either one is fine with us. Whatever you feel most applies to you.
I will be a reapplicant for entry in Fall 2019. I have kept the same manager and
supervisor however. Is it okay to use the same people for my letters of rec
if they can highlight improvements in my candidacy?
Yes, definitely!
Hi Haas Admissions team - I will be submitting scores from the GRE with my
application. There is a "Total" field for both the score and percentile. Any
recommendations on how to fill this out? The percentile in particular isn't
something that the GRE provides to test takers. Thank you!
Hi Jenna! Please leave the total section blank for GRE scores. It's not
necessary since it is not provided in your score report.
Can I meet some alumni as well from my city? (New Delhi)
Yes, feel free to look up alumni chapters heads through our website and you
are free to contact them directly.
Sungmin: Hi! Do you consider mandatory military service as a professional
experience? I did it when I was undergraduate.
Answer: Yes, we do. Feel free to list it in the section for undergraduate employment.
Marc: Hi, is there any help provided by the school for MBA student’s wife and
child?
Answer: Yes, we have both a partners club and a students with families club that
provide support. Reach out to our Haas Student Ambassadors at
[email protected] to learn more.
Avani: Is it possible to get a dual degree with the school of education?
Answer: We don't have a formal dual degree program, but you can take up to 3
electives outside of Haas at Berkeley to apply towards your MBA.
Crystal: I learned a lot of high level great opportunities such as launchpad and
various classes around entrepreneurship (which is my interest). If I
wanted to dive a little deeper and learn more, who should I talk to?
Answer: Connect with our Haas Student Ambassadors ([email protected])! They’ll
connect you with students with your same interests.
Madina: How do you view a 10 month long paid internship? Would it count
towards work experience? (I worked 3-4 days per week)
Answer: If it was post-grad work experience (even if it’s part-time), you can list it in the
employment section. Be sure to note that it was part-time work experience.
Attendee: I plan to apply in 2021. Before then, there's a good chance that my supervisors
may change. In that case, would you recommond I ask for letters of
recommendation to be written well in advance of when I plan to apply?
Answer: Up to you! Consider if your new supervisors might be good candidates to write
your letters instead/ in addition to.
Jeffrey: Are GMAT scores for the middle 25th to 75th percentile listed on the
class profile portion of your website?
Answer: Yes, please visit our class profile page.
Attendee: Hello - I work as a development consultant for the public healthcare
department in my country. In the work experience section of the
application, should I select healthcare as many previous industry or
consulting?
Answer: Either is fine with us - whatever you feel fits you most.
Suchawut: Hi everybody! May I ask if a candidate take a GMAT 1-2 weeks after the
deadline of round 1, can he send the updated score via email? Will it be
considered for round 1 at all? Thanks!
Answer: Hi Suchawut! All exams must be taken on or before the application deadline
for the round in which you are applying. Any scores submitted afterwards will
not be considered in your application, unless you request to have your
application moved to the next round.
Sitos: Are applicants with green card and work experience in the US considered
part of the international pool or the US pool?
Answer: Hi Sitos! Applications are divided up and read based on the country of
undergraduate education.
Jem: Are Haas students permitted to have academic internships or is that
typically not seen at Haas?
Answer: Hi Jem. Yes, it’s been done before at Haas.
Shaylene: I feel that although I have great experiences and went to a top University, my
GPA will not allow me to get into the program. Is it common to have
students who had lower than a 3.0 GPA?
Answer: Our review process is truly holistic, so there is no one data point that will make
or break your application. We will consider the rigor of you academic
institution and you can also explain any extenuating circumstances surounding
your GPA in an optional essay.
Luke:
Answer:
Aishwarya:
Answer:
Piyush:
Answer:
Attendee:
Answer:
Maksat:
Answer:
Do applicants ever write the essays as anything other than prose? Such
as poetry? If so, how do you react to that?
Sure! As long as you answer the question fully, that's what we need to judge
the application fairly.
One of my LoRs come from a university professor, who was the head of a
club that I worked for. He'll be discussing about my leadership skills, and
nothing very academic. My other LoR comes from my current workplace
mentor. Should these two be okay? I'm addressing the reason as to why I
chose these two, and why I wouldn't be able to get an LoR from my current
supervisor in the concerned section. Do I get a negative marking or
something?
Most candidates will have letters of recommendation from people outside of
their undergraduate experience, but it's a holistic process when we review
applications. Writing an optional essay about why you needed this person
could be helpful.
What would be your advice to reapplicants who were waitlisted (with
interview) until the summers last year? How can they show significant
progress in such a short span of time?
You will have additional work experience and we advise you look at your profile
from last year to see where you can actually make improvements (sometimes
it’s in retaking the exams). We want you to be self-reflective about the
process. Sometimes the window is quite short, so only minimal improvements
can be made.
Is there a minimum cut-off score for GRE? Also, will you be seeing GRE
score as an equivalent of GMAT (the comparing of score, I mean)?
There is no minimum GRE scores required and we don't have a GRE or GMAT
preference, either will do! We’ll look at the percentiles of your exam scores.
Hey guys! Thanks a ton for organizing the chat! How are applicants from
different regions reviewed? Are applicants from (or around) the same region
stacked together and reviewed against each other? Thanks!
Sure! We read applications based on country of undergraduate education. We
don't have any country quotas.
Joseph: Does Haas accept peer recommendations (separate from the 2
professional recommendations)? And, if so, can you please advise on format
and deadline for these?
Answer: Hi Joseph. We recommend sticking with the two professional letters of
recommendation in your application.
Victor: If we have two different scores for GMAT sent to Haas, would you look at
both or only at the highest?
Answer: We look at both, but will take the highest combined score.
Attendee: If your career plans are for an industry that is not popular at Haas, e.g.
entertainment/media, is it more challenging for career prospects or are
students still able to find employment/internships they enjoy?
Answer: We welcome very diverse interests at Haas and often see students interested
in entertainment. Career management works one on one with you to help
each student find a great internship.
Srijan: I am an entrepreneur with a services business. I have been running my firm
full time for the last three and a half years. Before that I was working at a large
MNC. Would you prefer that one recommendation come in from my
former supervisor or would you rather have both recommendations from
clients of mine? I’ve not had a current supervisor in a while.
Answer: Up to you! Whoever will be providing you the best letters should be writing
them. That said, if you think a previous supervisor will add something different,
then you may want to ask them.
Sailesh: Is there a chance to target an additional degree e.g. an MS in Analytics or
Computer Science, with an MBA at Haas?
Answer: Hi Sailesh. Thanks for your question. Currently, the only dual degree programs
we offer are the MPH/MBA and JD/MBA. Otherwise, you are welcome to take
elective units outside of Haas during your second year.
Alli: Hi, I'm applying through the Consortium. Do you have access to my entire
application? Are candidates applying through the Consortium viewed
differently than general applicants?
Answer: We do have access to your whole file (except the rankings for schools). That
said, we do not review Consortium candidates differently than the general
applicant pool.
Attendee: Do you come to India for tours?
Answer: Unfortunatly we are unable to visit India this year, but we have come in the
past.
Sumedha: I understand applicants are automatically considered for scholarships. What
parts of the application are primarily used for this decision?
Answer: All of the parts!
David: When reviewing candidates, do you prefer applicants with stronger
corporate affiliations or candidates with more startup experience?
Answer: We strive to enroll a diverse class, so we encourage applicants from all
industries.
Mehdi: About English proficiency test waiver. I completed my undergraduate in the
States and worked for 3 years there. Am i eligible for a waiver of the english
proficiency requirement? If so, could you point me to what i would need
to do for this?
Answer: If your bachelor’s was received in the US, you do not have to take the TOEFL.
We will determine whether you are wavied from TOEFL based on your
undergrdate transcript in your application.
Zeinah: Hello! I would love to learn more about the center for responsible
business. Would you recommend reaching out to the HSA email or is
there another group email specific to the center that I should reach out to
instead? Thank you
Answer: HSAs are your best bet! Email them at [email protected].
Attendee: If you have had several jobs that are under 1 year in length and no clear
promotions, but that is due to seeking different learning opportunities, is
that something to explain in the optional essay?
Answer: Yes, please do explain in the optional essay.
Jenny: For the second recommendation letter, would it be ok to have another
supervisor at the same company write one? The only other option I have
would be from someone who supervised me during a full-time internship (3
months) and not a full-time job.
Answer: Yes, that is perfectly fine.
Guyton: Regarding "have you recently had significant interaction with a student
or alum", I assume this only applies to Haas students/alums and not
other Berkeley alumni, correct?
Answer: Hi Guyton. Yes, that is correct!
Rahul: Does the Energy/Cleantech career path only focus on renewable energy
or does it cover all forms of Sustainable businesses?
Answer: It definitely covers both!
Ravina: I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree as well as a Master of Arts degree from India.
Would one be weighted over the other? Does the field of study make a
difference?
Answer: Hi Ravina. No, we will consider all of your education and we welcome diverse
fields of study.
Diana: I volunteer for a large world organization and take managerial work,
would that be appropriate to put in my resume
Answer: Sure, if that is something that has shaped your experience, we would love to
learn about it.
Alicia:
Answer:
Ghazanfar:
Answer:
Attendee:
Answer:
Chen:
Answer:
Maksat:
Answer:
Ryutaro:
Answer:
I haven’t had an opportunity to visit Haas as I’m currently working and living in
Ghana. But I’d like to know more about the Haas culture and how
students feel on campus. Is there anyone in the Haas network that meets
with prospective students either in Ghana or remotely?
Hi Alicia! Great question. Please reach out to our Haas student ambassadors
([email protected]). They may be able to connect you with a current
student who can speak about our culture at Haas.
How much does the GMAT scores matter for admissions? What score
does one need to get in Haas?
There is no one thing that will make or break your application, as our review
truly is holisitic. You can view our average GMAT scores and ranges online.
Does ealier application mean better enrollment opportunity?
No, everyone is notified on the same date for their round, regardless of when
you submit your application.
Should I use the "Optional Informaiton #2" to talk about improvements
to my candidacy? Is there a word limit?
If you are a reapplicant, then yes, you can use that section to talk about that.
We don’t have a word limit for that section but keep it concise.
Is the need-based scholarship available to those who get a moderate
merit-based scholarship?
Yes, it still is available.
Hi Haas Admission team - I oftentimes hear that it is important to apply
at the latest by the second round. Is the enrollment figure on each round
in the last couple of years available?
Hi Ryutaro! Since it varies from year to year, we do not publish this
information.
Sean: Hi, what are the top three industries that Haas alums work in (generally)?
I didnt see any information on this on the website? Thanks
Answer: Hi Sean. Thanks for your question. Please check out our employment report on
our website. It shows the industries our recent graduates are in.
https://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/mba.haas.berkeley.edu/careers/employment-
report
Victor: Shall we include full-time pre-graduation jobs on the online application or
only on the CV?
Answer: On the application! We have a section that asks about work experience pre-
graduation.
Cagla: For the 6-word essay, are you expecting a more personal story that
shaped who we are today or a mix of that with professional
accomplishments?
Answer: You can really do either, but I find that it's nice to hear a part of your story
nowhere else in your application.
Diana: There is a gap space in my resume due to leaving a work position to start
my own business, should that gap in work be explained in the optional
essay?
Answer: Yes, please explain it in the optional essay section of the application where we
ask about any employment gaps.
Attendee: Can you provide a sense of what percentage of applications you receive
from “non traditional” fields (i.e., candidates without a finance or
consulting background)?
Answer: We get a wide variety of industries and fields. We do not have a breakdown at
this point, but we will publish some information shortly on our website about
our class profile. Check back soon!
Attendee: For the question asking if we have recently had significant interaction
with a current student or alum? - Should we list all or just one?
Answer: You can list all!
Yuchen: Good morning! I am an active duty service member. I am interested in
Veteran application process and yellow ribbon program. Thank you!
Answer: Hi Yuchen. Please reach out to our veterans club on campus (information is
listed on their direct site). They can help you through the application process
and talk to you about the yellow ribbon program.
Attendee: Can we submit more than 2 LoRs?
Answer: Currently, we only accept 2 letters of recommendation. If you're waitlisted,
then you will have the opportunity to submit more.
Attendee: Roughly how many who get interviews get accepted?
Answer: It changes every year so we don't publish this information since it wouldn't be
statistically significant over time.
Line: How do you weigh undergrad GPA vs grad GPA? This is for applicants that
have graduate degrees. Do you disregard the graduate GPA?
Answer: We will consider all GPAs from both your undergraduate and graduate work.
Attendee: To answer the question - number of times taken the GMAT, do you want
us to include the tests we have cancelled or can we state the number of
times we have accepted scores?
Answer: Yes, you can put the number of times you have accepted scores.
Caissa: I took the IELTS exam, but in order to send you my scores I want to know
if you are subscribed in the IELTS Platform.
Answer: Yes, we are and we accept IELTS score reports by mail.
Isabella: Hello! I am a U.S. citizen working in Guatemala and did my undergrad in the
U.S. I will be taking my GRE in Guatemala. Do I still have to take the TOEFL
since I am not taking the GRE in the U.S.?
Answer: If your undergrad is from a US institution, you do not need the TOEFL.
Matthew: When will registration for the diversity symposium open up?
Answer: It is open now! You can register here: https://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/event-detail-page-
2018?id=f2dc2044-96c4-44f2-980c-1f77c1b0a32b
Piyush: For candidates waitlisted until the summer, do you suggest to reapply in
Round 1 next year (where there is no significant change in the
application)? Or wait until Round 2?
Answer: Up to you! There really isn’t much that can be done between Rounds 1 and 2
but if you feel that you can make a significant improvement, then you can
apply in Round 2.
Sumedha: Are scholarship decisions given at the same time as admission decisions?
Answer: Yes, unless it’s a scholarship from a donor, then you have to apply (it’s noted
on the application which are donor scholarships and there are only a few). For
need-based scholarships, you will have to apply. Merit-based ones - you don’t
need to apply.
Jakob: Thanks for organizing. Might I ask how Haas views applicants who’ve
paused in their career to either pursue a personal interest (eg. learning a
language), or stopped for a few months to reflect on what they want for
their next steps? What about if before that period they demonstrated
impact, leadership, and growth? Thanks!
Answer: It's good if you have a gap in your resume to tell us in the optional essay why
you've had that gap and what you've been up to in terms of personal or
professional growth during that time.
Victor: After sending you the TOEFL scores, how do we make sure that you
received them? The GMAT ones appear as “verified.”
Answer: Hi Victor. We will go by your self-reported scores during the initial review
process and verify them at a later date. If we find anything missing in your
application, we will reach out to you for the missing material.
Ashwin: I am not sure how strong my profile is currently. Is there any way to evaluate
my profile besides the current class profile?
Answer: Hi Ashwin. That’s not something that the admissions office provides, but
some people choose to hire consultants.
Renato: Where can I find the "registration number" asked when registering my
GMAT score?
Answer: GMAT code: N2VPT47. It’s also in the FAQ section of our website if you need
to reference it in the future.
Attendee: Is there anyone with a military background on the admissions committee
or do you work with anyone from the veterans club to assist in checking
out veterans resumes? Curious about how much I should explain certain
aspects of my job on the resume?
Answer: We read by industry, so we do have members of the committee who are
calibrated to military work experience. I would reach out to the veterans club to
see if they can review your resume/essays. They do that for our veteran/active
duty applicants!
Joseph: For calculating the 2-year GPA, should only coursework at the degree-
conferring institution be included or should courses taken at other
institutions be included as well? I took several summer courses at a
university in my home state, but did not transfer the credits to my
undergraduate institution.
Answer: The GPA is going to be from your bachelor’s granting institution. If you did not
include or transfer courses toward your BA/BS, then you shouldn’t include
them and calculate a new score. You are able to submit those transcripts and
you should include a short explanation so the committee is aware that these
grades were not included in your graduating institution’s final GPA.
Maksat: I went to college in Britain, and according to open sources British
colleges/universities have quite high acceptance rate (50-60%). How do
you look at this? Clearly, acceptance rate of 50% at top British colleges is
funny, but that's how it looks. I went to a top British college (Top50 Globally
per rankings), but how do I highlight that?
Answer: We honestly don't look at the acceptance rates of colleges. We want to see
how well you did at whichever college you went to.
Renato Should a full-time work experience done while finishing my last semester
of college considered in my resume?
Answer: If it was full-time, at least 40 hours per week, then it could be considered.
Avani: You have a large percentage of international enrollments! Do most of
them get placed within the US or do majority tend go back to their home
countries?
Answer: That answer really changes by year and industry interest!
Deepa: I’m a lawyer from India and am interested in pursuing an MBA to change my
career path. Would my academic and work background affect my
application?
Answer: We often see career switchers apply for MBAs, so that's just fine.
Federico: Hi Admissions team, my full-time work experience starts before I formally
graduated. I worked as soon as I finished my undergrad courses but did not
formally receive my title until a couple of months afterwards for administrative
reasons. Should I clarify this in the additional information section?
Answer: Hi Federico. We will review all of your work experience, but your years of work
experience will be calculated from the date of your graduation stated on your
certificate. If you feel you need to explain this further, you're welcome to use
the supplemental information section.
Yuya: Hi, admissions. What kind of opportunities do you have to exchange with
other department or masters students?
Answer: You can take up to 3 elective courses at other UC Berkeley schools to apply
toward your full-time MBA.
Sitos: What are some good ways to show progression at a company that
doesn't have a well defined promotion scheme? Are salary raises
unaccompanied by title changes a valid way to showcase progress?
Answer: We will consider salary and title when looking for progression. If you want to
explain your company's unique promotion structure, please tell us in the
optional essay.
Pajouablai: I'm applying through the Consortium, and predicting my GRE scores won't be
as high as Haas' average profile. Is there any suggestion on what I can do
to make my application stronger that outshines my GRE schore? I also
only have an averge GPA.
Answer: It's a holistic application reading process, and you can really stand out in other
ways: the LOR's, essays, and community impact.
Attendee: Can a candidate who does not get in the 1st round, apply in the 2nd or
3rd round for the same year ?
Answer: Unfortunately, no. But we would encourage you to apply the following year.
Attendee: Would it be beneficial to send multiple GMAT scores? Would it
demonstrate tenacity and improvement?
Answer: The decision is up to you! Some people want to show that improvement and
tenacity but others just want to show the highest score. We’ll focus on your
highest score during the review process.
Sumedha: I see several attendees have mentioned wait listing. How does that
work?
Answer: You can either get admitted, denied, or waitlisted after we decide on your
application. Wait listed candidates can stay on the waitlist for a while or be
taken off quickly, depending on the year.
Attendee: Does AdCom consider a candidate’s number of interactions with Haas
alumi/students/webinars or campus visits in the decision process?
Answer: Not at all!
Attendee: Can international students apply through the consortium?
Answer: Hello! Unfortunately, to be eligible for Consortium, you must be either a US
citizen or US permanent resident.
Suchawut:
Answer:
Attendee:
Answer:
Attendee:
Answer:
Renato:
Answer:
Attendee:
Answer:
Hi! On community contribution/volunteer works, can I include the non-
work activities that I lead/organize at my company? What's about the
activities done during college (3-4 years ago) - will they still be
considered? Thanks.
Yes and yes!
I drive a few social initiatives as part of my business’ CSR objectives - are
these viewed as professional deliverables or as contributions outside of
work? I ask because I am not affiliated with any external social welfare
organizations outside of the ones I work with in the ambit of my business.
We would consider these acitivities within your work experience, but will note
it as part of your extra curricular involvement since it's outside of your day to
day role.
If I have had multiple unrelated roles at the same organization, how
should I descibes my roles and achievements in the employment section?
Can I enter the deparments as separate entrys to more easily answer the
subsequent questions?
You should put down your latest role and we ask what your starting title was.
You can summarize in the explanation section your roles/achievements. The
resume should show the listings which show your progression.
If I took an ESL summer course in UC Berkeley while I was in my 4th year at
college, how should I include that in the application? as an extracurricular
activity? As an additional certification (it came with one)?
Hi Renato! It is not necessary to provide us your ESL summer courses, but
you can include it in your resume if it's something you'd like the admissions
committee to review.
As an international student interested in the social sector, do you have
any view on how likely it is to find job in this sector that will support my
visa application?
It really depends on the organization you are interested in, but we have a fair
number of students with an interest in the social sector.
Diana: I would like to get in contact with alumni to get more informtion
regarding the program, how can I do that?
Answer: Feel free to reach out to current students at [email protected].
Attendee: Is there a way to update you if I’ve been promoted since submitting the
application?
Answer: Yes! You can submit extra materials by emailing [email protected].
Attendee: Is the availability of jobs in the sector an applicant wants to work in after
an MBA, a criteria for admissions? Does the college evaluate a candidate on
how and where they can be placed for work?
Answer: As long as you show self-awareness in your essay, that can help your case. It's
a holistic process.
Aishwarya: Does speaking to a current student to get an insider's perspective of Haas
be considered in an applicant's evaluation? As in, does mentioning the
efforts of connecting with a Hassie (in the application) add to the applicant's
strength?
Answer: Not at all. But speaking with a current student will help you in your decision
process for choosing the right MBA for you.
Taylor: What is the best way to demonstrate academic aptitude in the case of a
candidate with an inconsistent transcript?
Answer: The optional essay is a great place to talk to us about why you have an
inconsistent transcript. You can always opt to take an extra class or two in
quant at your local community college or something to show proficiency. We'll
also consider GRE or GMAT.
Attendee: I completed 1 of the 2 years of a JD (Law) program before deciding it was
not for me. Do I need to send transcripts for this 1 year? Also, it was over
10 years ago.
Answer: Yes, please do send the transcripts and use the optional essay to explain what
happened there.
Ghazanfar: I would like to be a TA during my time at Haas. How easy or hard would it be
to get an opportunity to be a TA?
Answer: Please feel free to reach out directly to our HSAs to see if they can connect
you with a current GSI (graduate student instructor). They can give you the
information you need.
Attendee: What resources does Haas offer for women specifically? For example-
mentors, alumnae groups, conferences, etc.
Answer: There are MANY resources for women at Haas! I'd look into the admissions
webinar called Resources for Women at Haas, published on our website.
Attendee: Do you look at the GMAT quant score/percentile more closely than the
verbal?
Answer: We consider the score in its entirety, but will also look at your subscores.
Annabelle: Would you like for me to include transcripts for a community college
course I completed prior to my undergrad matriculation? This course did
not contribute to my undergraduate degree requirements; I took it on my own
to supplement my knowledge.
Answer: We will see the units and grades on the transcripts, so you do not have to
include a separate transcript.
Jonathan: In your own words, how would you describe the culture at Haas? I'm
especially interested in getting a feel of what the student body is like?
Answer: It's a humble and fun place. I'd write to the Haas Student Ambassadors,
current students, at [email protected].
Gerardo: Should international students translate GPA using their school's official
scales or should they report in the original scale? Thank you!
Answer: Hi Gerardo, please report your GPA as shown on your transcript. No need to
translate or convert the scale.
Attendee: I’m wrapping up my first feature film as writer/producer/director and even after
its done there are numerous other steps before it premieres. The “success”
of it may not be known before applying. Is that okay?
Answer: Congrats! That is just fine - you can just explain to us where you are in the
process.
Ravina: How many years of work experience is considered competitive? I have 3
years of work experience as an office administrator and am currently working
as a data analyst at BC Hydro.
Answer: Generally, our students have 3-8 years of full-time work experience when they
apply. It's more about impact.
Attendee: How can a student who cannot visit the campus learn of its culture and
environment? Especially from an international student’s perspective.
Answer: No problem, we know not everyone can make it to campus to visit. Check out
our virtual events online and/or reach out to our international student
representatives to learn more.
Pajouablai: I'm trying to best prepare my recommenders but Since I'm applying through
the Consortium, and I'm not sure what's on the backend of the
recommendation portal when they receive the notification (if it's to be
submitted in a letter or online form), should my recommender focus more in
general on my MBA goals and qualifications or do you know if there's
room for them to elaborate more specifically on my interest in Haas, even
though I'm applying to a few other schools as well? Or is this a question
for the Consortium?
Answer: I recommend reaching out directly to Consortium about this.
Suchawut: Hi. Could you help point out where I can find the full list of courses taught
by Haas and their descriptions/lecturers (if there's one)?
Answer: http://www.haas.berkeley.edu/MBA/academics/elective-courses.html
Attendee: In the Employment section of the application, you indicate that we should list
each organization once. If I have worked in 2 different departments and had
very different responsibilties, can I choose which role to list
responsibilities/accomplishment, or should i use my most recent role at
that organization to answer the responsibility/accomplishments section?
Answer: Please only include that company once. We see starting title and ending title.
Your explanation should be your most recent roles and responsibilities. We'll
see your resume too.
Elysia: I’ve had the same role at my company for 2.5 years now. It’s a smaller
business, and there’s not too many promotions since we have a low turnover
rate. Is this something worth mentioning in the optional essay so the
committee knows that the company structure has resulted in no
immediate promotion?
Answer: You’re welcome to include it, but chances are the recommenders will note
that. They usually do, so you don’t have to state that.
Attendee: I’ve gotten the award of “30 Under 30 — Next Generation’s Leadership
Award” of a state. It’s been a few years since — does that “expire” in the
admissions’ eyes.
Answer: Congrats! That's fine, we'd love to know about it.
Matthew: The employment section doesn’t allow me to put two current employers (one
FT and one self employd). Can that be explained in the optional essay?
Answer: List your FT and use the resume and optional essay to explain the self-
employed one.
Aishwarya: Once selected, when can we expect the interview invites to roll out, for
round 1 applicants?
Answer: It can be anywhere from 2 weeks from the time you apply up until 2 days
before the decision deadline.
Joseph:
Answer:
Kathryn:
Answer:
Joseph:
Answer:
Ashruth:
Answer:
Marc:
Answer:
Jakob:
Answer:
If interested in the MBA/MPH dual degree, is there any additional
information that must be provided in the application besides selecting
the concurrent program in the "Other Programs" section?
No, you only need to check off the box to indicate your interest in the program.
Hello, and thank you for organizing! For applicants who want to supplement
their quant experience, how does the admissions committee view
transcripts from less traditional institutions, such as MBAMath or
MOOCs?
We generally look for classes from accredited universities, but we'll still see
everything that you supply. Getting a grade helps.
Is is binding if I select the MBA/MPH concurrent program in my
application?
Yes, it is. You will be reviewed by both committees and we have to come to a
decision together (both admit, both deny).
I started in engineering before finding my passion with mathematical sciences
and have a lower GPA for my first two years than my upper class years.
Would this weigh heavily on my application?
Your GPA is only one data point in our holistic review of your application. Feel
free to explain your change of interest in your optional essay, if this is
something you are concerned about.
What could I do if recommenders are not comfortable with English?
Hi Marc. They can respond to the form in their native language, but it must be
translated into English by an ATA certified translator and submitted in a sealed
envelope by mail.
Hi, if I’ve just started a new job within the month, must I have my current
employer write a letter of recommendation?
You can feel free to have a former employer write your letter and there is
space for you to tell us why you haven't chosen your current supervisor on the
application.
Connor: If admitted, are the "bootcamps" (quant or communication) included in
the Fall tuition for students or is there an additional participation fee for
those courses?
Answer: The quant and communication have a fee. If you take them both, you will get a
discount. Some others are free (i.e. Excel course).
Ashwin: As an entrepreneur, is it okay to get a LOR from a client?
Answer: Yes, that's fine!
Min_Moderator: Thank you for joining us today! Feel free to keep in touch with any questions
along the way. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you throughout this
process. Thank you!
